Looking back at that bygone warm period in Earth’s history could offer help in forecasting the impact of human-spurred climate change, researchers said of a review of hundreds of studies of ancient climate records published in the journal Science.

Quickly acidifying seawater eats away at coral reefs, which provide habitat for other animals and plants, and makes it harder for mussels and oysters to form protective shells. It can also interfere with small organisms that feed commercial fish like salmon.

The phenomenon has been a top concern of Jane Lubchenco, the head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who has conducted demonstrations about acidification during hearings in the US Congress.

Oceans get more acidic when more carbon gets into the atmosphere. In pre-industrial times, that occurred periodically in natural pulses of carbon that also pushed up global temperatures, the scientists wrote in the study released on 1 March.

Human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, have increased the level of atmospheric carbon to 392 parts per million from about 280 parts per million at the start of the industrial revolution. Carbon dioxide is one of several heat-trapping gases that contribute to global warming.

To figure out what ocean acidification might have done in the prehistoric past, 21 researchers from the the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and the United States reviewed studies of the geological record going back 300 million years, looking for signs of climate disruption.

Interviews

The origin of this interview was to be given one single characteristics, then it would be synchronicity in the sense of „meaningful coincidences“. During my studies in the US, I have developed the interest and the passion for the role of civil society. I also vividly remember the cold January in 1996 when I was […]

“My Ambition is to Open the Competence Bill” As a graduate economist, the minister of regional development Karla Šlechtová started her professional career in the Czech Business Leaders Forum at the position of a project manager and mentor of seminars. For three years she also worked at CSR Europe as a coordinator of project portfolios, […]

Events

The first ever yourchance charity ball took place on the 10.3.2015 in the Boccaccio Hall of Grand hotel Bohemia. Hostesses of the event were the founders of yourchance Ing. Gabriela Křivánková and Jana Merunková. The program was moderated by Veronika Kašáková and Karel Diviš. Partners of the evening were: Mercedes-Benz PRAHA, Moser, THUN STUDIO / Atelier JM […]

Contributors

Most of us were brought up poor or in the middle class — and then continue the rest of our lives plagued by the thoughts, ideas and actions of the poor and the middle class. If you were brought up like I was, by parents that had great intentions but few ways to create financial freedom, […]

When we started our firm our vison was and is to become the leading expert in gender integration issues at work. This simple statement meant that we wanted to support organizations to create a sense of balance and complementarity within its workforce. That both men and women would be able to feel fully engaged and […]